Truth and Falsehood, Book · Chapter 33
An exhortation to Chriſtian Magiſtrates, for to defend this truth. CHAP. 33.
THus hitherto hauehave I ſtood in defence of chriſtian truth againſt popiſh falſehood, indeuouring according to my ſimple talent and ſlender ſkill, not only to admoniſh you of the baggage droſſe which they bring vntounto vsus in ſteed of fine gold, what filthie water they would hauehave vsus to drinke for pure wine: but alſo in the ballance of truth, to trie what ſtuffe it is, wherewith they ſeeke to comend the ſame vntounto vsus. And although the due acknowledging of mine own manifold wants & weakneſſe, did diſcourage me a long time to enter into theſe liſts: yet the redineſſe that I ſee in manie to take hold of the ſhadow of truth, neglecting in the meane time the bodie of the ſame: and on the other ſide the ſimplicitie of others, to diſcerne betweene light and darkenes, good and euill: to ſtay the firſt, and to helpe the latter ſort, I hauehave thought good at one view, to ſet before thine eyes (gentle reader) that truth that we teach, that thou mayeſt know howe they hauehave ſlaundered it: and that falſhoode which they maintaine, with ſome touch of their chiefe arguments, that thine owne ſelfe although ignorant and vnlearned, may hauehave ſome triall of their corrupt doctrines. Nowe the eſpeciall cauſe that moued me to take vponupon mee this enterpriſe (God is my witneſſe) is that dutie that I, and ſuch as I am doe owe to the defence of the trueth by worde, or writing, or any ſuch meanes, whereby wee are bound to occupie vntill our Lord and maſter come, the talent that he hath committed vntounto vsus, to his moſt gaine and glorie. Neither can I ſatiſfie my ſelf, that I hauehave throughly performed my dutie, when I hauehave ſet downe what is truth, and what is falſehoode: vnleſſe I indeuour alſo to ſtirre vp all Chriſtian magiſtrates to the defence thereof, to their vttermoſt power, in ſingleneſſe of heart: whom for that cauſe God hath ſet in high roomes, and to whom God hath committed that great charge, and at whoſe hands hee ſhall call for a ſtrait account for that dutie.Pſa. 10.11.12 Be wiſe therefore now, O kings, be learned ye that are Iudges of the earth: Serue the Lord in feare, and reioyce in trembling. Kiſſe the ſonne leaſt he be angrie. And if you will knowe how princes may, nay, howe princes muſt ſerue the Lord in feare, Saint Auguſtine teacheth it:Epiſt. 50 In forbidding and puniſhing with religious ſeueritie, thoſe things which are done againſt Gods commandment. So that this ſeruice of the Lord conſiſteth of two points. Firſt in making of good lawes, for the maintenance of the truth, and aboliſhing of idolatrie. Secondly in puniſhing ſuch as offend againſt the ſame, with a religious ſeuerity. This then is the firſt thing that is required in all godly Magiſtrates, euen from the prince that ſitteth vponupon the throne, vntounto the meaneſt that beareth office in the common wealth, but eſpecially of thē that hauehave the ſoueraigne authoritie, that they hauehave a watchfull eie, and a continuall care, to conſider and finde out what things they are, whereby either the glory of God is moſt hindred, and his ſeruice prophaned, or ſin is within their common wealthes … r ſeuerall charges occaſioned and maintained. Which when they eſpie, they muſt ſeeke by godly lawes, and ordinances, to prouide ſome ſpeedie remedie for the ſame. For when I affirme, that princes & magiſtrates muſt make decrees for the truth againſt idolatrie and ſuperſtition, my meaning is not to enter into that queſtion againſt the papiſts, whether ciuill magiſtrates may meddle with matters of religion or not (although euen the truth therof alſo, by the way may appeare) but becauſe I ſpeake to ſuch as acknowledge and confeſſe this to be their dutie and hauehave giuen notable teſtimonie of their perſwaſion therein: my deſire and indeuour is to ſtir them vp, that nether they will be vnmindful thereof, but alwaies and earneſtly thinke of it, neither vnwilling thereto, but readily and diligently performe it.Eſa. 44.28. For this cauſe God calleth princes ſometime ſheepheards, (ſo was Cyrus, to teach them that they ought to be as watchfull and painful for the good of their people, as is the ſhepheard for the good of his flocke: yea they muſt be watchemen ouer their people, and take great heed that through their fault the people periſh not: for if they doe, it will alſo turne to their owne deſtruction.De paſtoribus. cap. 9. For as ſaint Auguſtine ſaieth Their negligence ſhall ſlay them. Their negligence, I ſay, wherby they are ſlacke in performing their dutie. They are alſo called heads ouer their people, not onelyonly becauſe they ſhould hauehave eies alwaies to prie and ſpie (for the eies are in the head) what danger may fall vponupon the people, and find meanes to auoid it: but alſo becauſe they ſhould in all carefull and chriſtian diſcretion, guide and direct them that are vnderunder them. And becauſe it is true that ſaint Paul ſaith,Rom. 13.4. He is the miniſter of God for the wealth of the people, and that he beareth not the ſworde for nought, but for to take vengeance of them that doe euill: It is moſt neceſſarie that he prouide ſuch lawes as may tend to thoſe endes, and ſet downe ſuch decrees as my bridle diſobedient & vngodly perſons, that they who faine would,1. Tim. 2.2. may the more quietly liue in honeſtie and godlines. Such is that law or ſtatute that Aſa king of Iudah made, when he ſawe how readie his people were to fall to Idolatrie and ſuperſtition, and had taken away the altars of the ſtraunge gods, and broken downe their images and high places.2. Chro. 14.3 4. He commaunded Iudah to ſeeke the Lord God of their fathers, and to do according to the law & the cōmandement. Wherin it ſeemeth vntounto me that their caſe and ours is verie like, therefore we cannot finde a fitter patterne to ſet before vsus for redreſſe of our euils, than by ſuch lawes as hee made. And ſeeing hee did this in the beginning of his reigne, he teacheth Magiſtrates a good leſſon, that it beſeemeth not princes or others to make anie delaie to ſerue the Lord, but to take all oportunities to doe it. For delay many times bringeth coldneſſe, and coldneſſe groweth to neglect of duetie. And ſo did Iehoſaphat his ſonne after him.2. Chron. 17.6.7. In whoſe ſtorie appeareth a maruellous diligent care that hee had, to take away all occaſion of Idolatrie from amongeſt his people. And alſo there appeareth,2. Chro. 19.4 howe hee charged both the ciuill Magiſtrates that were vnderunder him, and the Prieſts alſo and Leuites, and had an eye to them that they ſlipt it not. Yea,2. Chro. 29.8 5 and hee did not onelie ſet Leuites and Prieſts at Ieruſalem, for the better performance of theſe things, but alſo Iudges citie by citie, in eueryevery ſtrong citie of Iudah. For hee knewe that it was a daungerous thing for Magiſtrates to bee Non-reſident, Nonreſidents.(for there are mo Non-reſidents, than they that are commonly cried out againſt.) And for my part, the mo that there are, the more, I think, is the land defiled with ſin. But Iehoſaphat becauſe he would hauehave ye magiſtrats alwais ready to attend vponupon their charge (as I alſo confeſſe it to bee the duty of miniſters to attend vponupon their charge) hee appointed them their cities, and made a progreſſe through the country, to ſee theſe thinges done. As alſo it is a notable good practiſe for godly Princes in their progreſſes to inquire of ſuch defaultes as are in the country where they remaine. Yea I knowe not whether there bee now any other way ſo good, for reformation of ſuch generall diſorders as are amongeſt vsus, as that the ſoueraigne authority will vſe ſome way to looke into the doings of ſuch as are vnderunder her in the church, and common wealth, and with ſpeede reforme the ſame. I feare it would be found that from top to toe, there would almoſt be nothing ſound,Eſ. 1.6. From the ſole of the foote, to the crowne of the head nothing whole. For we are fallen into times wherein almoſt eueryevery man ſeeketh his own, I ſay his owne will, profit, pleaſure, eſtimation, without any great regarde of church or common wealth. But I would that were the worſt. For alas we hauehave too many, & thoſe great ones, who doe notably abuſe their greatneſſe and authority,Mi… h. 2.1. to the vndoing of many other. Their hand is according to their power, as the Prophet ſaith, to doe as much hurt as they can: And their muſt bee obeyed more carefully than any law. If they be not ſo ſhameleſſe that they will ſay, yet they thinke as the vngodly of whom the Prophet Dauid complaineth,Pſal. 10.3.4. That they contemne the Lord: that they are ſo proud that they ſeeke not for God. They thinke alwaies there is no God. And againe. With our tongue will wee preuaile, Pſal. 12.4.our lips are our owne, who is Lord ouer vsus. Now although he that ſitteth in heauen ſhall laugh (at theſe their fooliſh thoughtes) and the Lord ſhall hauehave them in deriſion: Pſal. 2.4.yet muſt Princes (vnleſſe they will neglect their dutie) hauehave a great care to reforme or remooue ſuch vngodly perſons: being wel aſſured that the higheſt powers muſt not only anſwere for their owne negligences, but alſo for the oppreſſions, wrongs, and negligences of ſuch as they place vnderunder them: vnleſſe they hauehave a due regarde to place in authoritie ſuch as are worthieſt, and alſo when they heare of their defaultes they ſeeke ſpeedely to reforme the ſame. So that Princes hauehave high places, with a heauy charge, their honour is great, but greater is their burden, as appeareth by the ſixt Chapter of the booke of Wiſdome. Which Chapter I would wiſh all Princes to be well acquainted withall, that they would make it as it were their looking glaſſe wherein they would vſe to looke daily. For if theſe thinges were well remembred, (as alas it is too eaſie a thing for the beſt of vsus to forget our duties, and mighty ones, hauehave not only their ſoueraignety, which maketh them many times too proude, but alſo many flatterers to commend in them euen that which is euill) but I ſay if theſe thinges were well remembred, Princes in placing of Magiſtrates either in church or common wealth, would not ſo much be abuſed by them, who being corrupted by bribes, or mooued by fauour, or in ſome other worldly conſideration, are content to commend ſuch to be fit to gouerne others, as could neuer yet guide themſelues well. Princes I ſay, that hauehave due conſideration of their owne duty, and the ſtrait account that they muſt giuegive if they doe it not, and that before that great and iuſt iudge, who will not be corrupted, nor cannot be deceiued, wil neuer commit their people to be gouerned by ſuch bad guids, neither their duty to be done by ſuch negligent or vnfit deputies. And heere would I moſt humbly craue of her moſt gratious Maieſty, that as it hath pleaſed God to aduaunce her grace aboue all other within her highnes dominions, ſo as ſhee tendereth the good of her people, the diſcharge of her duty, the defence of the church whereof ſhee hath her title, and the ſaluation of her owne ſoule, ſhee will continually begge of this our good God, by earneſt and harty praier, not only that her ſelfe may carefully endeuour to ſerue the Lord: but alſo that hee will giuegive her the ſpirit of wiſedome to take heed that ſhe aduance not any within her Maieſties dominions to the rule of others, but ſuch as her ſelfe knoweth,Exod. 18.11. or by good men is perfectly informed, that they are as indeede they ought to be, Men of courage, fearing God, dealing truly, and hating couetouſnes. And that ſhee will not thinke any fit for gouernment, either in religion or ciuill pollicy, but ſuch as will execute their office, In the feare of the Lord, 1. Chro. 19.9faithfully, and with a perfect hearte. Then ſhall ſhee according to the dutie of a Chriſtian Magiſtrate performe her office faithfully, maintaine the truth zealouſly, incourage the godly, diſcourage and daunt the heartes of the wicked, relieue the oppreſſed, refourme the oppreſſours. So ſhall ſhee bring increaſe to the trueth, glorie to her gouernement, ſafety to her perſon, quietneſſe to her Realme.Eſa. 26.11. Pro. 29.14. For, Saluation ſhall God ſet for walles and Bulworkes, And a King that iudgeth the poore in trueth, his throne is eſtabliſhed for euer. But on the contrary, if gouernment be ſtill committed to vngodly men, religion ſhall dwel in contempt, wickedneſſe ſhall abounde. Such as God hath not incouraged to doe good, although they woulde faine, yet ſhall bee afraide to ſerue the Lorde.Prou. 29.1. For, When the righteous are in authoritie the people reioyce, but when the wicked beare rule the people ſigh. Take heede I pray O yee Magiſtrates, that that reproach may not iuſtly bee laide vppon vsus, that was ſpoken againſt the Iewes, who were called Gods people before vsus.Eſa. 1.23. Thy Princes are rebellious and companions of theeues, euerie one loueth giftes, and followeth after rewardes, they iudge not the fatherleſee, neither doeth the widdowes cauſe come before them. For By ſwearing, and lying, and killing, Hoſ. 4.2.and ſtealing, and whoring, they breake out, and bloud toucheth bloud. But it is moſt certaine that ſinne breaketh out in eueryevery corner in great aboundance by ſea, by lande: yea and if it bee not maintained by ſome, yet is it too much ſpared, and too little puniſhed almoſt by al men that hauehave authority. If ſuch diſorders may ſtil be permitted, that is, if offendours may ſtil goe vnpuniſhed, and they that beare with and wincke at ſuch thinges maie ſtil beare authority, can we looke for any other thing than that God ſhoulde ſaie vntounto vsus, as hee ſaide in his wrath vntounto his owne people, whome hee loued as dearely as vsus, Ariſe, depart (out of this land) this is not your reſt. Mich. 2.10.Becauſe it is polluted, it ſhall deſtroy you, euen with a ſore deſtruction. For God in Leuiticus Leuit. 18.25.pronounceth that a lande is ſo defiled with ſinne, that it muſt vomit out her inhabitantes. HaueHave we not then iuſt cauſe to feare God heauy wrath, ſeeing that idolatry, and ſuperſtition, blaſphemies, murders, whoredomes, robbings and ſtealings doe ſo abounde in many places of this lande, and yet ſo litle reformation, yea ſo much forbearing of ſuch had perſons, yea of ſuch as are moſt notorious offendours, ſo much ſpeaking and writing for them, ſo much pitying them vponupon their tears, ſo much repriuing them after their iudgement, that they might hauehave time and meanes to procure their pardon, as though wee feared nothing more, than that the weedes ſhould be weeded out, leaſt they ſhoulde hurt the herbes, or the tares plucked vp that they choke not vp the corne. This our wel liking of ſinne, this forbearing of ſo bad men is it, that I more feare, and will indeede ſooner bring this land to deſolation, than al the cruell practiſes of profeſſed enemies or faithles friends. This I ſay, if wee repent not, ſhal make vsus weake, & our enemies ſtrong, this ſhal more haſtely bring vponupon vsus, and againſt vsus the Spaniard, & more ſtrengthen his hand, than al that he can deuiſe, beare he neuer ſo cruel a hatred againſt vsus. So that whoſoeuer or whatſoeuer they be, that wil not now, when by their authority they may, nay whē they ought to procure peace & ſafety vntounto the oppreſſed, by puniſhing offendours, ſhal one day, if with ſpeed they amend it not,Luc. 19.42. Eſa. 48.22. ſee that al things that belong to their peace ſhal be hidden from their eies. For there is no peace to the wicked If any man thinke that I note any particular perſons herein, they are deceiued. I rather touch all. For I ſee ſuch horrible vices abounde almoſt in eueryevery place, and ſuch diſobedience againſt God and man, and ſo little puniſhment eſpecially of ſuch as can procure the friendſhip of ſome great men, although their offences be great, that I ſay with the Prophet, Wickednes ſaith to the wicked man euen in my hart, that there is no feare of God before his eies. So that almoſt the continuall breach of all good lawes, by them that hauehave any delight to ſinne, doth proclaime it in the eares of men more ſhrill then the ſounde of a trumpet, that many of our Magiſtrates are farre ſhorte of that duty that they ſhoulde performe. Which as we feele in theſe north partes, to be the vndoing of many a poore man in particular, yea almoſt the ruinating of the country, ſo I heare the ſouth parts are not in much better caſe: But whoſoeuer is boldeſt to ſinne, findeth many friendes to ſue for his pardon. Which if it be true, let vsus aſſure our ſelues, that our generall contempt of religion, and iuſtice, and that after ſo many warnings and ſo plaine, giuen by Gods meſſengers againſt this, ſhal bring vponupon vsus, and our land a general plague. Neither let vsus flatter our ſelues in our owne ſtrength, or our allyes, or that our enemies are weake or otherwiſe occupied. If we prouoke the Lord he ſhal neuer want whips to whip vsus withal. And thus much by way of digreſſion, vponupon occaſion of good Iehoſaphats great care that hee had to examine and ſee, that they beare office vnderunder him, did deale zealouſly for the truth, and iuſtly and truely, with his people. A godly care, a good but a rare example. Which point although Iehoſaphats example gaue me good occaſion to enter into, yet the neceſſity of theſe times doth the rather force mee to handle the ſame. Yea this is ſo neceſſarilie belonging to the matter that I am in hande withall, that neither godlie lawes and decrees, can eaſily bee deuiſed & publiſhed, neither being made can at all be executed, vnleſſe this be chiefly regarded. But to returne to my matter againe. When Ahaz the king of Iudah had polluted the land with idolatries of ſundry ſortes, after him commeth Ezechiah his ſonne,2. Chron. 29. who opened the doores of the temple that Ahaz had ſhut vp, hee called for the Prieſtes and commaunded them to ſanctifie themſelues, teaching them their duetie, hee gathered the Princes together to the houſe of the Lorde, hee commaunded the Prieſtes to offer, and hee and the Princes commaunded the Leuites to praiſe the Lorde: appointing how, namely, with the wordes of Dauid: yea, 2. Chro. 30.…hee alſo by Poſtes ſent to all Iudah and Iſrael, 2. Chron. 3… .that they ſhoulde come to keepe the Paſſeouer. And Ioſiah his diligence to ſerue the Lorde, by commaunding to reforme ſuch thinges as were amiſſe, is notable in his ſtorie. In which example of Ioſiah it is woorthie the marking, howe hee gathered togither all the Elders of Iudah and Ieruſalem, and the people alſo, and made them goe vp with him vntounto the Lordes houſe. And Ezechiah and hee (as in the ſtorie of Ezechiah is noted) commanded them to come to celebrate the Paſſeouer. And in Ezechiah his dayes it is to their eternall praiſe ſet downe, that they had not one Recuſant,2. Chro. 31.… but God gaue them one heart to doe the commanment of the king. If Princes might then make lawes to bring their people to the church, and conſtraine them to be partakers of their rites and ſeruice: why may not princes now doe the like? Nay, if it were then the duetie of the Rulers amongſt Gods people, to be carefull to make ſuch lawes, howe can our Rulers excuſe themſelues, if they be found ſlacke heerin? For (as before I hauehave ſhewed) I ſeeke not by theſe examples to ſhewe what Princes may do, but what they can not but doe, vnleſſe they will runne in danger of Gods diſpleaſure. But,2. Chr. 34.1… to proceede in the ſtorie of Ioſiah, when Hilkiah the prieſt had found the booke of the lawe, it was not reſerued with the Prieſt, as though hee onelyonly might meddle with religion, but it was carried by Saphan to the king, 16and the king commanded Hilkiah the prieſt with others to goe to inquire of the Lord for him, and for Iudah, 20to turne away Gods wrath. In all which examples marke howe godlie kings hauehave had a very watchful regard alwaies, to giuegive commā dements and make lawes, to take away ſuperſtition, or negligence in comming to Gods ſeruice, and to further the true worſhip of God. To theſe I might adde a cloud of witneſſes out of Eccleſiaſticall hiſtories, but in a matter ſo plaine I truſt I neede not produce the particular examples of Emperours and Kings, as well elſe-where as in our owne land and country this realme of England, who hauehave made ſundry lawes, giuen ſundry commandements, vntounto eccleſiaſticall perſons in matters of religion, whereby they hauehave declared, that if not their onelyonly, yet their eſpeciall care was, that God might be religiouſly ſerued, not of themſelues onelyonly, but of their people alſo. Now therefore it remaineth, that our godly Magiſtrates make profite of theſe good examples, not onelyonly by learning what they may, but in knowing what they muſt doe. For as ſaint Auguſtine very well and profitably noteth,Epiſt. ad Bonifacium 50. the kings that amongſt Gods people did not forbid and ouerthrow whatſoeuer was contrary to gods precept, are reprooued, & they that did forbid ſuch thinges, are praiſed. Yea, that ancient father there commendeth to vsus the examples of the kings of Niniue, who compelled the whole citie for to appeaſe Gods wrath:Ion. 3. Dan. 6. And Darius, who commaunded the Idoll to be broken, and Daniels enemies to be caſt vntounto the lions: and of Nabuchadnezzar, who by a fearefull lawe prohibited the blaſpheming of the true God.Dan. 3. Out of all which wee may learne, not onelyonly what the godly Princes did, but euen howe carefull they were to doe it: ſo that it doeth ſeeme to hauehave beene their continuall meditation and ſtudie, howe they might remooue ſuch ſtumbling blockes as did lie in their peoples wayes, whereby they might be hindred from ſeruing the Lord ſincerely. For they knew it to be true, that Saint Auguſtine ſaieth, that the happineſſe of kings doeth not conſiſt in their long raigne,De ciuit. Dei ib. 5. cap. 24 or ſucceſsion of their children, in vanquiſhing their enemies, or ſubduing their rebellious ſubiectes, but if they gouerne righteouſly, if they make their power ſerue to the furtherance of Gods ſeruice, if they bee ſlow to reuenge and ready to forgiue, but ſo as their reuenge bee for the neceſſary ruling and defending of the common wealth, and if their clemency bee not to hauehave ſinne vnpuniſhed, but the ſinner reformed. Continue therefore (O gratious Soueraigne) that godly race which hitherto you hauehave moſt happely runne, for the maintenance of Gods trueth, and neuer be weary of well doing, but ſtill as neede requireth, let precept be after precept, ſtatute vponupon ſtatute, commaundement vponupon commandement, law after lawe, ſo long as Idolatrie and ſuperſtition is not ſufficiently aboliſhed, ſo long as popiſh hereſies are ſo readily imbraced, ſo long as ſo many ignorant men and fooliſh wemen, without regarde of duty to God or man, without any ſhew of reaſon, yea without due care of their owne ſoules, vnderunder pretence of conſcience, doe againſt all conſcience.
For with what conſcience (I pray) may they preferre a forraine power, before the gouernement of their naturall Prince, or make the ſupremacy of the Pope a neceſſarie article of faith, which was neuer taught by Chriſt, his Apoſtles or the primitiue Church: nay neuer thought vponupon, vntill the Biſhoppe of Rome came to his exceſſe of pride of late yeares? Or by what colour of conſcience can they deſpiſe Gods woorde, contemne his Sacramente… , and ſeparate themſelues ſo wilfully from that bodie that dareth not receiue any thing but that they are ſure that Chriſt hath taught? Vntill ſuch time I ſay, as ſuch as profeſſe the name of chriſtianity within your dominions, may in external ſhewe be compelled to come vntounto Chriſt, or at the leaſt, not to dare openly to deny him and his trueth, godly Magiſtrates ought ſtill to make their lawes more perfect, that they may hauehave a remedy for eueryevery inconuenience.
And theſe lawes ſhould be ſo ſtrong, that they might holde as well the mightieſt as the meaneſt, and not like the ſpiders cobweb, which can take onelyonly the ſmall, or weake flies, but can doe nothing to holde the ſtrong ones. And that is it that Saint Auguſtine doeth meane, when hee ſaieth,Epiſt. 50. that Lawes ſhoulde bee made with conuenient ſtrength: For, if Poperie and Idolatrie bee euill in one, it is not tollerable in any. And if ſome may without danger of puniſhment breake lawes, or hauehave exemptions to tranſgreſſe the ſame, it much emboldeneth other to doe the like. And howe in pollicie wiſe men can iudge it to be conuenient I knowe not, but in chriſtianitie I can not ſee howe it may be tollerable, that in a land, where the light of the Goſpell ſhineth, Popery may bee any thing tollerated to any without any puniſhment: For it is as euill as the Idolatrie, which the godly kings of Iudah did ſo bend themſelues to deſtroy, and for the deſtroying wherof they are commended. As for the exemptions which many of our Recuſants hauehave from the penaltie of the lawe, I doubt not, but hoping of doing good, and of winning by faire meanes will be the colour for the ſame. But I doe ſee none more obſtinate, or of whome there is leſſe hope, than ſuch perſons as hauehave found ſuch fauour. Neyther are theſe diſobedient perſons at any time ſo ready to conforme themſelues to dutifull obedience, as when they feare ſome execution of lawes againſt them. Which thing, becauſe it is ſo manifeſt that none can but ſee it, it maketh many to thinke, that ſuch immunities are procured often vponupon other conſiderations, than hope of winning them vntounto Chriſt. Yea ſome ſue for them ſometimes, that perchance hope to winne ſomething to themſelues thereby. But of compelling by feare, ſuch to come vntounto God, as for louelove will not, and of inflicting puniſhment, where meekeneſſe and lenitie preuaile not, I am now to intreate: for this is the ſecond point, wherein Magiſtrates muſt ſerue the Lorde. And although I doe not like of extremitie or rigor: yet ſo long as wee ſee remiſneſſe to bee hurtfull to the church and common wealth, that which ſaint Auguſtine calleth a religious ſeuerity would be vſed: that is, magiſtrates ought to take that way, not that beſt pleaſeth their owne humour, but that ſerueth beſt for reducing offendours to the ſeruice of God. If therefore lenitie bee abuſed, and breed licentious libertie, ſo that they who were euill, growe worſe thereby: then lenitie ceaſeth to bee a chriſtian vertue, and is nothing elſe but that fooliſh pittie that marreth the whole citie. In theſe north countries, we hauehave too good experience heereof. For, meekeneſſe ſome call it, but I take it to bee an exceſſiue want either of care or courage in the Lordes cauſe, hath brought theſe countries to that paſſe, that the ſinnes of the countrey, as murder, whoredome, thefts, and ſpoiling do abound more than euer they did for many yeeres. As for recuſants, not men onelyonly and women, but euen in ſundry places the children alſo, either may not, or will not come at the church. And that more is, and to be wondered at, there are that dare reprooue them that will perfourme that duety. And yet the church of Rome hath not much to brag of this their plentifull harueſt, as in many of their bookes they doe: for it is full of filthy weedes. For euen the better ſort of them reſt vponupon I knowe not what name of conſcience, without any reaſon of their religion, or ground of their faith. And they being deceiued through their ignorance, doe fall into the pit which falſe teachers, as ignorant almoſt as themſelues, hauehave made to catch thē in. And though amongſt thē that do profeſſe religion, there are too many that doe know too little: yet for them to ſeeme to hauehave a better perſwaſion in religion than the common ſort, who hauehave ſcarce ſo much knowledge as the common ſort hath to ground their religion vponupon, is a great ſkorne. Yea, many there are whoſe conſcience (as it is thought) will ſerue them, ſome to take their neighbours horſe, cow, oxe, or ſheepe by ſtealth, ſome to beare with, and winke at ſuch as doe ſuch things, and yet their conſcience will not ſuffer them to come to the church. Others hauehave conſcience, that will ſuffer them to liue in continuall whordome, and to lead a moſt filthie life, euen almoſt in the ſight of the ſunne, but to ſhew themſelues dutifull to God and man, it will not ſuffer them. Seeing therfore that as in a ſore, if the ſurgeon forbear to ſearch it to the quicke, it doth but corrupt and putrifie: ſo in this our malady, nothing hath ſo much increaſed the ſame as too much lenity: there is now no other way to mend that is amiſſe, but by ſome due puniſhments to beate downe the pride of the obſtinate, and to reſtraine their inſolencie. I meane not, that life or limme of anie ſhould be touched for religion only (vnleſſe perchaunce the word of God expreſlie doe commaund it) for as mildneſſe hath been a precious ornament to her maieſties perſon, So I am well aſſured that it hath beene as a ſtrong pillar to vpholde her eſtate.Prou. 20.28. For merciemercy and truth preſerue the king, and his throne ſhalbe eſtabliſhed with merciemercy: yet would I hauehave manie pittied rather than one: That is, that one or ſome few ſhould rather be puniſhed, than whole multitudes by too much gentleneſſe ſhould be imboldened to follow that which is euil. Neither are the puniſhments for religion by our law of ſuch qualitie as that there is iuſt cauſe to complaine of the rigour of the ſame: although the papiſtes that they may ſeeme to hauehave a great number of martyrs and confeſſours, with manie a loude lie, crie out againſt the crueltie that is vſed amongſt vsus. Reſtraint of libertie only, would not in the late time of perſecution in Queene Maries daies, hauehave beene thought crueltie, when moſt ſharpe and vncomfortable impriſonments, and in the ende cruel death, was thought too little for them that could not be charged with any thing, but onelyonly diſſenting in religion from the Church of Rome. The paiment of a little money, would then hauehave beene thought an eaſie redemption for the libertie of conſcience: and theſe are the moſt grieuous puniſhments, that our lawe in ſuch caſe hath ſet downe. And that theſe chaſticements ſhould nowe with ſome ſeueritie be executed, it is high time: when as ſo many vponupon a meere will, or to pleaſe ſome other, will not ſticke to reuolt from that holy profeſſion, which once they followed. Yea, it ſeemeth vntounto me a neceſſarie policie, that that penal ſtatute againſt recuſants ſhould more ſeuerely be executed: not onelyonly to hauehave the greater treaſure in ſtore, for the neceſſarie defence of the realme: but alſo to withdrawe from hollow hearted ſubiects, that wherewith they do either vnmeaſurablie inrich and furniſh themſelues againſt that euil day which ſo long they hauehave looked for, or in the mean time relieue bad perſons to be trumpets of rebellion. For howſoeuer thoſe lying ſpirits blow it abroad, that catholiks (for ſo they falſely tearme them) are in moſt cruell maner perſecuted in England for religion: yet it is moſt certaine, that there are an infinite number of knowne and ſtubborne recuſants among vsus, that feele no ſmart at all. Which thing alſo I would wiſh that by ſome meanes they might bee made publikely to confeſſe, therby to confute and confound the ſhameleſſe ſlaunders of their lying maſters. And ſuch as are impriſoned can not iuſtly complaine of want of anie thing neceſſarie, vnleſſe it be libertie. They are not forced to lie vponupon the ground, or to ſit vneaſilie in the ſtockes, They are not loaden with boltes and fetters, or anie other way cruelly handled, as many good men were in the dayes of our late perſecution. No, no, we willingly leaue thoſe cruel torments to the bloudie papiſts, to that purple Harlot that ſitteth at Rome: who is euen drunken with the blood of the ſaints, and hath a delight to torment and make hauocke of the people of God.Lib. 2. To ſuch as Dinothus in his ſtorie of the warres of Fraunce ſpeaketh of: For hee reporteth that when the papiſts, that ſauage generation, had woonne Auraſia, they ſpared no ſexe, no age, no eſtate, no not ſucking babes: they deuiſed new & thoſe cruell torments (for to kil only cannot ſuffice that catholike humor.) And towarde women when they were dead, they paſſed the limits I will not ſay of chriſtianitie, or of humane modeſty, but they ſhewed themſelues more beaſtly thā beaſts. And that they might the rather be incoraged impudently to commit all theſe exceſſes, they had a fit watchword for their purpoſe which did both ſhew their meaning and with what ſpirit they were guided, which was this: I curſe god thrice. O catholike watch word! It ſeemeth they were at defiance not with good men only, but with God alſo. Of like beaſtly cruelty alſo, and ſhameleſſe deſpiting of the dead bodies the ſame authour writeth in the verie latter end of that his ſecond booke: euen ſuch as anie man excepting Romiſh catholiks would be aſhamed to commit. But the more ſhameles in crueltie that they are, the more like them ſelues. For if we will beleeue euen their owne ſtories, we ſhall find that they alwaies made litle accoumpt of that which is pretious in Gods ſight. Such crueltie. I ſay, beſeemeth that popiſh crue, but we hate and deteſt the ſame. We are content if they be not dangerous to the ſtate, that they liue at eaſe and in libertie alſo, ſo long as it confirmeth not themſelues in their errour, nor withdraweth other from the tru… worſhip of God. Yea, there are who for religion being impriſoned, hauehave inriched themſelues, and increaſed their reuenues. We only ſeeke to reforme them, not to torment them, and to lay vponupon them gentle chaſticements to amende them, not cruell puniſhments to deſtroy them. But yet, as I ſaide before of lawes, that they would bee made for a reſtraint for all ſorts of men and women, ſo the puniſhment would be inflicted vponupon all in like ſort, that offende in like maner. And although I will not take vponupon mee to define, whether princes may beare with recuſants or not, becauſe they are enemies to God, namely, ſuch as deſpiſe wilfully Gods worde, and contemne his Sacraments: yet I may be bolde to affirme, that the magiſtrates who will ſuffer vnpuniſhed, the breaking of the firſt table of the commaundements, doe ſhewe therein no great zeale to their high Lord and maſter.
And here would I wiſh this one poynt to be conſidered vponupon, whether it be not verie conuenient and neceſſarie, that wheras God by his law expreſly hath ſet downe that Idolaters ſhould be ſtoned to death, Deut. 17.2, 3 4, 5, 7.whether (I ſay) the papiſts, whoſe ſeruice and ceremonies, are almoſt nothing elſe but Idolatry and ſuperſtition, ſhould bee iudged according to that law, concerning that point of their religion, wherein they defend and practiſe the worſhiping of Images, and praying to thoſe that are no Gods. Heereby two commodities I doubt not would inſue: Firſt that the papiſts ſhould be knowen to be as they are, Idolaters and worſhippers of falſe gods: which ſinne if the people did know that they were ſubiect vntounto, they would neuer be ſo deceiued by them. Secondly, thereby many would be afraied to call vponupon ſtockes and ſtones, as now they doe. For to defile the lande with their manifeſt idolatries, why ſhould not wee account it a ſinne worthie of death, ſeeing it is a breach of that commaundement, which eſpecially concerneth the honour of God. Which how feruently and ſincerely we ſhould maintaine, we may among manie other notable preſidents, learne of the children of Iſrael, who with full conſent,Ioſh. 22, did gather themſelues to fight agaynſt the tribes of Ruben and Gad, and the halfe tribe of Manaſſeh, becauſe they had thought that an altar (which they built for a memoriall, and witneſſe, that the tribes beyond Iordan, worſhipped the ſelfe ſame God, and profeſſed the ſame Religion that the other did) they thought (I ſay) it had beene built, to offer ſacrifices vponupon, and ſo to diſhonour God. Which thing rather than they would ſuffer vnreuenged, they would venture their liues. So zealous they were, and wee ſhould be, of Gods honour. For euen to that ende were we created, and that dutie we muſt as louing and obedient children, zealouſly performe to our heauenly father. Yea, ſeeing they account vsus as heretikes, in whoſe doctrine neither they, neither yet their fathers, could euer, or yet can, proue by the worde of God, the leaſt ſuſpition of hereſie: to the end that themſelues may be knowen what they are, that thus dare ſlaunder the profeſſours of the trueth without iuſt cauſe. Why ſhould not they whoſe doctrine and doings beeing examined by Gods written worde, doe plainly proue themſelues to be idolaters, why ſhould not they (I ſay) be called idolaters, as in trueth they are. Well, ſeeing it is before plainly proued, that godly princes did make lawes, to reſtraine and reforme the ſinnes of the people yea, and that in matters of Religion, and hauehave as it were watched all oportunities, to ſerue the Lord in ſuch ſort (and this I take to be that ſeruing of the time, Rom. 12.11.whereunto the Apoſtle exhorteth, for ſo many do read it) I truſt it cannot be denied, but that it belongeth vntounto the dutie of Chriſtian magiſtrates to doe the like. And if they may make lawes, may they not alſo puniſh the breakers of the ſame? I hauehave before ſhewed, that it is neceſſarie (if we conſider our eſtate) that they ſhould. And that it is their part ſo to do, it cannot be denied.Rom. 13.4. For He is the miniſter of God to take vengeance of them that doe euill. And what Nehemiah did herein is worthie to be remembred: whoſe authoritie was not very great, being but as it were a captain, yet did he not onelyonly make decrees, as of other matters, ſo alſo concerning the breach of the Sabboth day,Nehe. 10.17 (a ſinne too common in England, and too lightly accounted of) but alſo did execute the ſame,20 21 yea, and threatned to lay hands vponupon them that were cauſe of it, if they made that fault againe. Yea, did not Aſa commaund them vponupon paine of death to turne from their Idols and falſe gods,… . Chr. 15.23 making this couenant, nay, taking this oath of all Iudah and Beniamin, that Whoſoeuer will not ſeeke the Lorde God of Iſrael, ſhall bee ſlaine whether hee bee ſmall or great, man or woman. Marke, there is in this no reſpect of kinde, or kinred: yea he ſuffered not his owne grandmother to be regent, neither thought her worthie to bee a gouernour, Becauſe ſhee had made an Idoll in a groue: and hee brake downe her Idoll, and ſtamped it, and burnt it at the brooke of Kidron. Chriſtian princes and Magiſtrates ſhould alwayes ſet ſuch examples before their eies, comparing that which they did, and Gods ſpirit commendeth in them, with that which they doe, to prouoke themſelues thereby in godly zeale to ſerue the Lord. Nowe therefore ſeeing I hauehave indeuoured (as God hath inabled mee) to ſtirre vp all chriſtian magiſtrates, more watchfully to regard, and more ſpeedily to redreſſe, than of late eſpecially hath beene done, the ſtate of religion, growen I knowe not by what negligence, almoſt into contempt amongſt many: I would wiſh that a chiefe care ſhoulde bee taken (among many other, to auoyde two verie daungerous conceytes, which are as Scylla, and Caribdis: 1. Tim. 1.19.at one of the which it is an eaſie matter for all them to make ſhipwracke of fayth,Rom. 1.18. that ſtriue not to holde faſt a good conſcience, but withholde the trueth in vnrighteouſneſſe. The one is poperie, the other is Atheiſme. Of papiſts, and recuſants I hauehave ſayde alreadie ſomewhat. They are too many, and vponupon eueryevery ſmall occaſion of hope of their bloudie day, verie bolde (whereby we may conſider what ſubiects they are.) They are dangerous ſnakes to carrie in our boſome. If inquirie ſhould be made how many hauehave beene preſented, that were neuer called before authoritie, and howe many called, that hauehave beene ſent home againe, as free as before they came to the magiſtrate, and yet as bad alſo as euer they were, I ſuppoſe they will be found manie. And for them that are impriſoned, it is manie times more for the gaine of their keepers, than the reformation of themſelues. So that they are almoſt in no place, more free to doe, or ſay what they will, than in their priſons, whereby they corrupt many. This fault I truſt, is not generall, but in ſome places it is ſo. Well, of them I will onelyonly ſay thus much, that they are in ſuch ſort dealt withall, as themſelues are much confirmed in popiſh hereſies, they that beare good will to the trueth, much diſcouraged, and harty and ſincere obedience, not to the goſpell only but to her Maieſtie alſo is much hindered.Atheiſts. As for that godleſſe and graceleſſe ſorte, who dare ſaie not in their heart only, but euen with their mouthes alſo, not priuately, but alſo in their meetings and aſſemblies, to their perpetual ſhame, that there is no God: although they bee nothing ſo daungerous, as are the Papiſtes, who deceiue vnderunder a colour of religion (and therefore more craftilie) ſuch as hauehave not a louelove to the trueth: yet are they of all other creatures moſt to bee deteſted as beeing more vnthankefull than the beaſtes themſelues, and to be counted more vile than the dung of the earth, which wee treade vnderunder our feete: ſeeing they are ſo iniurious to that good God, that hath made them ſuch excellent creatures, and doe ſo by their impiety blemiſh and defile the excellency of their creation.Pſal. 145.15. For, if The eies of all doe waite vppon God, who giueth them meate in due ſeaſon. Of all I ſay, euen the beaſtes, and not men only, then doe they after their manner confeſſe that there is a God that feedeth them,Pſal. 147.9. as hee doeth alſo, The beaſtes and young Rauens that crie. And in that all things keepe their courſe, whereunto God appointed them, it argueth that they yeelde a ſoueraignetie to that deuine power, that hath created and appointed them to that ende. And ſhall any man indued with reaſon, nay ſuch as call themſelues Chriſtians, and ſome of them perchance ſuch as hauehave receiued of Gods hand, more aboundant graces than many other: ſhall ſuch I ſaie, as hauehave ſo many cauſes to knowe and confeſſe him, dare ſet themſelues againſt him that made them, and deny his power?Act. 17.28. In him they liue, and moue, and hauehave their being, and will they not confeſſe him? The creation, the preſeruation, and the adminiſtration which hee vſeth ouer all thinges, doeth prooue him to bee God. Yea which waie can we turne our eies, but that we muſt beholde his power?Pſal. 19.1. The heauens declare the glorie of God. And the earth alſo is full of his greatneſſe. They that goe downe into the ſea in ſhippes, Pſal. 107.23.24.and occupy by great waters, They ſee the workes of the Lorde, and his wonders in the deepe. In the Scriptures what hauehave wee but the goodneſſe of God, the might of God, the wiſedome of God, the iuſtice of God? To ſhewe that wee cannot bee without him, and from him wee cannot hide our ſelues. Much leſſe ſhall that wicked crew ſtand before him, but that his hande ſhall finde them out. And although that accurſed company will (no doubt) deny the Scriptures, and count them but as fabulous, yet Gods actes and deedes therein contained, as alſo the ſtorie of all times doeth ſufficiently teſtifie vntounto the worlde, that God is wiſe, mightie, good, and iuſt. The very heathen men therefore, founde him out by his workes, and could not but confeſſe that there muſt be a God: although not ſeeking to knowe him by his worde, they became vaine in their imaginations, and conceites of this God: But that there is a God, they did all ſee it. Shall the Scriptures beare witneſſe, and his workes teſtifie of him, yea ſhall the very heathens finde argumentes enough to conuince them, and make them confeſſe him, and ſhall ſuch as are borne and brought vp amongſt Chriſtians, bee as blinde as beetels in ſo cleare light, and ſo bring a ſtaine to their profeſſion, their country, their bloud? God forbid that in any chriſtian common wealth there ſhoulde bee any founde ſo wicked and witleſſe, as once to thinke ſo irreligiouſly. But to ſpeake it, and that not in ſecret, but in the hearing of others, or to defend it as an opinion that they would hauehave to be beleeued, is ſo deteſtable a ſinne before God, as if it bee ſuffered will be the vtter ruine of this land. Take away the aſſured perſuaſion of God, out of the heartes of the people, and how ſhal obedience be perfourmed to Magiſtrates, honour to parents, ſeruice to maiſters, or duty to all ſuperiours for the Lordes ſake? Let their prophane opinion preuaile, and neither ſhal the godly hauehave any incouragement to ſerue in feare, neither the wicked any bridle to reſtraine them from euil. Theſe corruptions therefore of a common wealth, theſe enemies to al honeſt and Chriſtian life, ought not to bee ſuffered to liue amongſt men, much leſſe to enioy any eſtimation or credit by chriſtian Magiſtrats. Neither can this perſuaſion once enter into the hearte of any, vnleſſe they be ſuch, as becauſe they woulde liue diſſolutelie in all luſt and pleaſure, as the prophet Amos ſaith,Amos. 6.3. Soph. 1.7. Ioel. 2.11. Do put far away the euil day, euē that day of the Lord wherof Sophony ſpeaketh, and of which day the prophet Ioel ſaith, The day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it? And therfore that they might ſinne without al feare of God, they would faine perſwade themſelues that there is no God. Or els ſuch as being drunken in their proſperity, and aduanced perchaunce far aboue their worth, doe thinke as did the wicked men of whom Malachy ſpeaketh,Mal. 2.17. that if there were a God of iuſtice, it coulde not bee ſo well with them, and ſo in their exceſſe of pride they deny God & ſay who is Lord? And although I truſt that none amongſt vsus, are com to the depth of that impiety: yet becauſe it is too true, that many will hauehave ſuch prophane talke, and delight too much therin, & that ſome of them ſuch as ſeeme not little in their own eies: if ſharpe puniſhments be not inflicted, for ſuch irreligious and wicked ſpeeches, themſelues will more & more be hardened in their euil, and others more incouraged to like of their vngodlines. Therfore theſe biles & ſores of a common wealth, are of all chriſtians to be ſhunned as vnworthy to liue among Gods people, & of al godly magiſtrats, ſuch are to be reſtrained, not by lawes only, but by the ſharpeſt puniſhments. And if magiſtrates would not doe their duty therin (which God forbid) yet let al true chriſtians take heede they touch no ſuch pitch,Eccle. 13.1. 1. Cor. 15.33. Iud. 52. leaſt they be defiled with it, nor giuegive eare to ſuch talke, leaſt it corrupt their good manners. Yea let them put away ſuch ſpottes from their feaſtes, for the company is the worſe that they are in, what account ſo euer they make of themſelues. Withal diligence therefore, inquiry would be made for detecting, and ſtrait order taken for the puniſhing of ſuch: For as al ſinnes procure Gods wrath, eſpecially if they be borne withal, and God in his wrath ſendeth his plagues: ſo eſpecially ſuch great blaſphemies as this, as hath with it a manifeſt contempt of God and his worde, bringeth for the moſt parte a generall deſtruction.Prou. 8.15. If Princes therefore bee Gods lieutenantes, and ſupply his roome, as indeede they doe, if by him they beare rule as Salomon affirmeth, it is their dutie to watch all opportunities, to reforme if it maie be, or elſe to roote out their maiſters enemies, and to imploy their whole power in defence of his glorie, who ſetteth them in honour, eſtabliſheth their authority, ſubdueth vntounto them their ſubiectes, giueth peace in their lande, when neede is if it ſeeme good to him, vanquiſheth their enemies, to bee ſhorte, without whom they hauehave no power. Let it neuer bee ſaide, that in a lande wherein the goſpell is ſo conſtantly and zealouſly profeſſed, and by ſo many godlie lawes eſtabliſhed, it ſhall bee lawfull for ſome ſeduced, but very ſelfe-willed folkes, ſuch as recuſantes are for the moſt parte, to reiect it without all feare of puniſhment, or for a prophane crew, ſuch are theſe Atheiſtes, to blaſpheme God without controlement. If wee louelove the truth, let vsus with courage ſet our ſelues againſt the enemies therof. If wee feare God truely, let vsus alſo feare to bee partakers of their ſinnes that will not acknowledge him. But priuate perſons that allowe, or doe not reprooue, Magiſtrates that doe not refourme ſuch ſinnes, are partakers thereof. Rowze vp your ſelues therefore (O Chriſtian magiſtrats) be zealous in his cauſe, that is ſo louing to you. Be faithful vntounto him, that neuer deceiued any that truſted in him. Beate downe ſinne, maintaine the trueth, cheriſh the godlie, againſt all popiſh heretickes, againſt all prophane Atheiſtes, that ſuch as doe euill may feare, and know that Magiſtrats beare not the ſword for naught. Rom. 13.4.Thinke it to be the beſt pollicie to ſerue the Lord ſincerely: For ſo Moſes teacheth the Iſraelites (but his leſſon is not of many politickes well learned) Keepe therefore (ſaith he) and do them, for that is your wiſedome: And that it is no wiſdome to be colde or careleſſe in Gods cauſe,Deut. 4.6. for it procureth his wrath, for Curſed be he that doeth the worke of the Lorde negligently. Yea and when God will hauehave his iudgementes ſharpely executed,Ierem. 48.10. Curſed be he that keepeth backe his ſworde from bloud. And as thoſe are accurſed, that doe not execute thoſe ſharpe iudgementes of God, againſt his enemies: ſo ſhall not they bee free from wrath, that are too remiſſe in inflicting of gentler puniſhmentes when occaſion requireth. Serue the Lorde therefore, and he wil ſaue you. Defend his cauſe, and he wil defend you. Reſt not vponupon your owne ſtrength or pollicie: do his wil faithfully, and he will not faile you. So ſhal you bring ſafety and quietneſſe to your ſelues, and Gods bleſſing vponupon your people. Whereas on the contrary if ſuch deſpiſers of God and his trueth, be not in ſome reaſonable ſort brideled and reformed, God is by ſuch want of zeale prouoked, the offendours by ſuch remiſneſſe are incouraged in their euil, and manie not euill perſons are much diſcouraged, from their dutiful obedience to God and man. The Lord therefore open the eies of our chriſtian Magiſtrates, and giuegive them wiſedome, that they maie ſee and wiſely conſider, of theſe things. The Lorde I ſay, by his holie ſpirite worke in their heartes ſo earneſt a zeale to Gods trueth, that they may, as in duty they ought, ſeeke ſincerely to maintaine the ſame, and to growe not in knowledge onlie and outwarde profeſſion,Pſal. 78.7… . but in practiſe alſo and holy conuerſation. That as Dauid did feede the people, according to the ſimplicity of his heart, and guide them, by the diſcretion of his handes: ſo they may walke eueryevery one in their place and calling, vprightly, and with a ſincere hearte before the Lorde, to guide their people in the good waies, & to bring them to the wholſome paſtures, that they and we their ſubiects may with one heart ſerue Chriſt our Lord here, and raigne with him elſe-where: to whom with the father and the holyghoſt be al honor and glory now and for euer.
FINIS.
End of the text · Francis Bunny, Truth and Falsehood (1595)